Blocking sled

ABSTRACT

A sled for training football players in the art of blocking and tackling including any selected number of individual, indentical blocking sections each having a cantileverly supported blocking pad thereon adapted to be struck by a football player; each of the blocking sections is provided with a longitudinal runner having an upwardly extending support member for supporting the cantilever blocking pad support above the runner; the blocking sections are also adapted to be releasably coupled to an identical blocking pad section in a side-by-side relationship.

United States Patent [191 Rogers Aug. 6, 1974 [73] Assignee: Rogers Athletic-Co, lnc., Farwell,

Mich.

[22] Filed: June 14, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 262,689

[52] [1.8. Cl 273/55 R [51] Int. Cl A63b 67/00 [58] Field of Search 273/55 R, 55 A, 26 A [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,521,649 9/1950 Paupa 273/55 R 3,216,724 ll/l965 Williams 273/55 R 3,229,428 7/1967 Moran 273/55 R 3,237,944 3/1966 Kopp 273 55 R 3,514,105 5/1970 Pillard 273/55 R 3,583,703 6/l97l Brown 273/26 A 3,674,265 7/1972 Sheets 273/55 R OTHER PUBLICATIONS Premier Products, River Vale, N.Y., p. l0, May I967.

Primary Examiner-Richard C. Pinkham Assistant ExaminerTheatrice Brown Attorney, Agent, or Firm-John J. Swartz [5 7] ABSTRACT the cantilever blocking pad support above the runner;

the blocking sections are also adapted to be releasably coupled to an identical blocking pad section in a sideby-side relationship.

22 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures minnows mm 3,827,- 690 sum 2 or 4 EAIENI AUL: slam snmaofa BLOCKING SLED FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to athletic training devices and, more particularly, to a football blocking and tackling sled including modular sections which are selectively connectible in many different configurations to accommodate different training situations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Blocking sleds have been provided in the past, and at least one type has included at least one generally vertical, blocking pad suporting leaf spring mounted on the sled by a pair of vertically spaced support mounts. If the leaf spring, which mounts the blocking pad, breaks under the impact of a football player, the players momentum will carry him forwardly onto the bolcking sled, frequently injuring the player. The degree to which the tension in such leaf springs may be adjusted is also limited. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved football blocking and tackling training sled including a new and improved blocking pad suspension system for absorbing the impact to the blocking pads.

Although prior art blocking sleds have included coil springs for absorbing a portion of the impact, football players have frequently been injured with the structure because the coil spring is exposed and the hands of the football players are occasionally pinched in the moving parts of the spring suspension system. Accordingly, it is another object of the present invention to provide a safer blocking sled than that which has been known heretofore.

It is yet another object of the present inention to provide a blocking sled including a new and improved can-' tilever support for the blocking pads which will dispose the blocking pad in such a manner as to eliminate injury to the players hands otherwise occasioned by the coil spring mechanism. 7

It is important that the operating characteristics of football blocking machines duplicate, as near as possible, the reaction of an opposing football player. When a player blocks an opponent, he must generally not only utilize his legs to move forwardly, but must use his arms and back muscles to lift and push the opposing player after the initial impact. To be an effective blocker, a player must learn to follow-through the entire blocking movement and complete the block. Earlier blocking sleds merely provide dead weight which a player moves, but which does not duplicate the actions of an opponent and does not properly develop the players neurokinetic reflexes necessary to the most effective blocking of an opponent. The blocking dummy must be supported at the end of a cantilever which is counterbalanced by the machine to maintain proper weight distribution and balance and facilitate weight transfer after impact by the player.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a blocking sled which will teach a football player to complete a blocking maneuver.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a movable blocking training sled which will reduce a players forward momentum and require him to react and follow through with the block in order to move the blocking sled.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a blocking sled which will realistically resemble the resistance encountered when a player blocks another human being.

Another object is to provide a blocking sled including a new and improved outrigger assembly which provides lateral support therefor.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a blocking sled which will properly develop the neurokinetic reflexes of a football player.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a slidable blocking sled which includes any number of coupleable blocking sections having new and improved shoes thereon which enhances the sliding characteristics of the sled.

The prior art blocking sleds are also limited in their flexibility and adaptability to various training situations. In the early season, a coach may prefer a oneon-one drill during which only one player hits a single blocking pad simulating a single defensive lineman. Later in the season, the coach will frequently prefer a two-on-two" drill during which two players simultaneously hit two of the blocking pads simulating two defensive linemen. Still later in the season, the coach may prefer to have either of the right or left sides of the line simultaneously practice blocking and in other instances he may desire to include the entire line to practice block simultaneously. Obviously, if separate blocking sleds must be provided to accommodate these various blocking situations, substantial expenses will be incurred. Accordingly, it is a still further object of the present invention to provide a blocking sled which includes modular sections that may be selectively coupled and decoupled to and from each other to provide a blocking sled with any selected number of blocking sections. This modular construction permits schools having limited funds to add sections as money becomes available, while permitting full use of the sections purchased.

Football drills frequently include face blocking exercises during which the players will hit the blocking pads while remaining substantially upright. At other times, the players must perform crab blocking exercises during which they remain in crouched positions. To minimize the inventory costs of such equipment, it is an object of the present invention to provide a blocking sled which can be converted into a sled which will facilitate the training of football players in the face blocking technique and the crab blocking technique as well as the shoulder blocking technique.

A technique which may be implemented by defensive football players to avoid a blocking offensive player is a hit-and-roll" technique in which the defensive player momentarily face blocks or hits the blocking offensive player and then rolls to the right or left to avoid the block of the offensive player. It is a still further object of the present invention to provide blocking apparatus which will facilitate the training of football players in the hit-and-roll technique.

Between football seasons, storage of such equipment represents a major problem for schools. It is important that the equipment be easily disassembled to obtain maximum use of storage space. Accordingly, it is still another object of the present invention to provide a blocking sled which can be easily disassembled for storage.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art as the description thereof proceeds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Football training apparatus comprising at least one blocking section including a longitudinally extending, ground-engageable base, a vertical support member on the base, a blocking pad assembly, and means on the support means supporting the blocking pad assembly forwardly of the vertical support member for movement in a to-and-fro path of travel when struck by a player, and lateral support means for the blocking section removably coupled to the section to permit rapid disassembly of the apparatus to facilitate storage and shipment.

The present invention may more readily be described by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view illustrating a sled, constructed according to the present invention for teaching football players blocking and tackling skills;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the sled illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the sled illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a rear sectional view of a blocking dummy, taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 5 is a sectional side view, taken along the line 5-5 of the blocking dummy illustrated in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a sectional side view, taken along the line 66 of FIG. 2 and particularly illustrating the telescoping dummy support mechanism;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view, illustrating a slightly different configuration of the blocking sled;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view illustrating a plurality of the blocking sections, connected in side-by-side relation;

FIG. 9 is a side perspective view illustrating still a different configuration of the blocking sled,

FIG. 10 is a schematic side elevational view illustrating a conversion kit, constructed according to the present invention, for modifying existing sleds;

FIG. 11 is a front perspective view ofa slightly modified blocking sled; and

FIG. 12 is an enlarged, rear perspective view of the outrigger assembly for supporting the blocking sled illustrated in FIG. 11.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and in the first instance to FIG. 1 3, apparatus constructed according to the present invention includes a sled, generally designated B, for training football players in the art of blocking and tackling and comprises a blocking section, generally designated 10, including a longitudinal, ground-engaging runner 12 having a shoe 14 at its rearward end to facilitate rearward sliding movement thereof along the ground. Extending upwardly, forwardly from the runner 12 is an upstanding blocking dummy support post 13. A pair of vertically spaced, shaft receiving sleeves 34 and 37 are provided on the upstanding support post 13 for a purpose to be later described.

Apparatus is provided for laterally supporting the blocking sled B and comprises a trapezoidally-shaped support frame, generally designated T, including a pair of rearwardly converging side rails 21 spanned by a pair of cross bars 22. A pair of shaft receiving sleeves 24 are fixed to the more closely spaced ends 21a of the side rails 21 and receive a lateral coupling shaft 26 which is also received by a sleeve 19 fixed to the rearward end of the runner 12. The shoe 14 comprises a steel plate bent over on itself to provide rearwardly converging upper and lower plate sections 1411 and 14h fixed to the sleeve 19 and the underside of the rail 12. Set screws 20 and 28 are provided in the shaft receiving sleeves l9 and 24, respectively, to removably couple the shaft 26 thereto.

A pair of shaft receiving sleeves 30 are fixed to the spread ends 21b of the side rails 21 and receive a lateral support, coupling shaft 32 which is received by the sleeve 34 in the lower end of the upstanding dummy support post 13. Set screws 36 and 38 (FIG. 3) are provided in the sleeves 30 and 34, respectively to removably couple the shaft 32 thereto so as to prevent relative motion of the sleeves 30 and 34 and the coupling shaft 32.

Fixed to opposite ends of the coupling shaft 32 are lateral support shoe assemblies, generally designated 40, including ground-engaging rails 42 having upturned forward ends 44 and beveled rearward ends 46 to facilitate sliding movement thereof along the ground. A shaft receiving sleeve or cylinder 48, fixed to the runner 42, is received on each end of the shaft 32 and is removably secured thereto by a setscrew 32a.

Mounted atop the vertically inclined support post 13, is a tubular member 52, which is square in end cross section, and telescopically receives a complementally formed tubular member 56. The tubular members 52 and 56 are horizontally inclined slightly downwardly, forwardly, by an angle a (FIG. 1), for a purpose to be described hereinafter. A spring mounting plate 57 (see FIG. 6), mounted internally of tubular member 56, and an end plate 52a, on tubular member 52, include apertures 52b and 57a respectively which receive a spring support rod 58. A pair of nuts 59 and 60 are threadedly received on one threaded end 58a of the rod 58 on opposite sides of the wall 52a and clamp the rod 58 in the position illustrated in FIG. 6. A stop member 64 is fixed to the opposite end of the rod 58 for engaging the plate 57 to prevent forward movement of the tubular member 56 beyond the position illustrated in FIG. 6. A resilient coil spring 62 is received on the rod 58 and reacts between the plate 57 and the end wall 52a to maintain the tubular member 56 in the forward position, illustrated in FIG. 6 permitting the relative telescoping movement of the tube 56 within the tube 52. When the spring 62 is compressed to approximately half its length and is bottomed out, the stop member 64 on the rod 58 is still a substantial distance, i.e. 4 inches from the free end 56a of the tubular member 56.

Mounted on the free end 56a of the tubular member 56, is a football dummy, generally designated D, comprising a T-shaped frame, generally designated F, including an upright rod or bar 66 having a cross bar 68 fixed to the upper portion thereof. Polyurethane foam, generally designated 72, having a density of 2.3 lbs. per cubic foot, for example, is placed around the frame members 66 and 68 and a vinyl-coated nylon cover, generally designated 74, secures the foam 72 in position around the frame F. The cover 74 may suitably comprise a relatively heavy material able to withstand the wear exerted by the football players, for example a type having a weight of 18 /2 ounces per square yard. Fixed to the upright dummy frame bar 66 and extending rearwardly through the vinyl cover 74, is a tubular stub shaft dummy mounting portion 76 which is telescopically received on the free end 56a of the tubular support member 56 and is removably fixed thereto by means of a set screw 78. A pocket 73 is provided in the upper front portion of the blocking dummy foam 72 andsimulates the face of a defensive player. An air passage 75 is provided in the foam 72 and communicates between an aperture 75a in the rear of the dummy and the pocket 73 to permit entrapped air in the pocket 73 to escape through the aperture 75a when the dummy D is engaged by a player. When the dummy D is mounted in the upright face blocking position illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 9, the upper portion of the dummy is of substantiallygreater width than the lower portion thereof. When the dummy D is in the upright position illustrated in solid lines in FIGS. 4 and 9, the portions 44a, 44b, 44c, and 44d (FIG. 9) represent the head, arms, face and torso of an opposing player. When it is desired to practice the crab blocking technique, the pad is inverted to the position, illustrated in FIG. 7 and in chain lines in FIG. 9, by merely untuming the set screw 78, removing the stub shaft portion 76 from the free end 56a, inverting the pad D to the chain line position illustrated in FIG. 9, replacing the stub shaft portion 76 on the free end 56a, and again turning the set screw 78.

Referring now more particularly to the blocking sled B illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, a plurality of laterally spaced apart blocking sections 10 are removably coupled to each other by a plurality of laterally extending coupling shafts 50 which are removably coupled to the shaft receiving sleeves or cylinders 37, 34 on the upstanding posts 13 and the sleeve or cylinder 19 on the rear of the longitudinal runner 12, by means of set screws 37a, 38, and 20 passing through the respective sleeves and engaging the pipes 50. Any selected number of the blocking section 10 may be removably coupled to each other by merely changing the length of coupling pipes 50. The blocking sections 10 provide lateral support for each other.

THE OPERATION When a football player strikes the cantileverly supported blocking pad D, the tubes 56 and 54 relatively telescope together against the force of the compression spring 62 tending to hold them in the extended position illustrated in FIG. 6. When the player initially hits the pad D, he will drive it upwardly as it is being driven rearwardly against the force of compression spring 62. When the tubular sections 52 and 56 are raised to the horizontal position, illustrated in chain lines (FIG. 1), the player will continue to drive the blocking dummy rearwardly. This apparatus is important in teaching the blocking technique in which the blocker is supposed to lift the opposing player as he is pushing him rearwardly. The coach, who may ride on the sled, can easily visually determine whether or not the player is lifting a sufficient amount as he is pushing rearwardly by merely observing the horizontal inclination of the tubes 52 and 56. Since the cantilever support arms 52 and 56 support the blocking pads D a substantial distance forwardly of the vertical support posts 13, considerable force must be exerted upwardly by the football player to lift the tubes 56 and 52 to the horizontal position.

Depending upon the weight of the sled and the force with which the pad D is hit, the support rails or shoes 12 may or may not slide on the ground.

The compression spring 62, which is relatively long, resists rearward movement of the blocking pad D and exerts a substantially constant, but yieldable, force on the pad D as the blocker engages the pad. Because of the spring 62 and spring support arm 58 are entirely encased within the tubes 26 and 28, the blocker need not worry of having his hands pinched by the spring 62 if he inadvertently wraps his arms around the pad D. The

pad D can travel approximately 12 inches which provides a relatively life-like blocking pad as opposed to the prior art apparatus which has a substantially short stroke. An air shock absorber could also be employed between the tubes 56 and 52, if desired, to limit the travel of the pad D, particularly at the end of the stroke. The capability to invert the blocking pads D permits several blocking techniques to be performed.

When it is desired to transform the sled from the face blocking configuration, illustrated in FIG. 1, to the crab blocking configuration, illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 7, the set screw 78 is merely unturned, the stub shaft portion 76 is removed from the tubular shaft portion 56, inverted, and then replaced on the shaft 56, and the set screw 78 is turned to hold the blocking pad D on the support 26.

When the two-man blocking sled, illustrated in FIG.

7, is to be converted to the nine-man sled illustrated in FIG. 8, the pipes are removed from the collars 19, 34 and 37 and replaced by substitute rods 50a which are of substantially greater length than the rods 50 such that nine of the blocking sections 10 may be coupled together to permit nine players to simultaneously practice blocking.

HIT AND ROLL BLOCKING SLED Referring now more particularly to FIG. 9, the sled illustrated in FIG. 7 can be configured as a hit-and roll blocking sled, illustrated generally at B in FIG. 9, by spreading the two outer sled sections 10, substituting longer rods 50 for the rods 50 and adding a third sled section 10 between, but slightly forwardly of, the two outer sled sections 10. Parts on the midsection 10' which are identical to the parts on the outer section 10 are identified with identical reference characters followed by prime designations. The blocking sled B" is a three-unit sled, although it should be realized that additional units could be utilized, with the middle section, generally designated 10', being mounted forwardly of the two outer sections 10. The runner 12' of the midsection of the sled 10' is moved forwardly of the runners 12 of the outer sections 10 and the rear sleeve 19' on the runner 12' receives the tubular member 50' spanning the sleeves 34 at the bottom of the upright members 13 of the outside sled sections 10.

A trapezoidally-shaped support section T, constructed identically to the trapezoidal section T illustrated in FIGS. 1 3, is utilized to vertically support the upstanding support posts 13' of the blocking section 10, and identical numerals will be utilized to identify identical parts with prime designations. The trapezoidally-shaped frame T is supported on the cross rod 50', spanning the upper sleeves 37 on the outer sled sections 10, by shaft receiving sleeves 30. The sleeves 24', on the opposite end of the trapezoidally shaped frame T, are mounted on a substantially shorter cross shaft 54 received by the sleeves 34' provided on the lower end of the middle support post 13. The trapezoidally shaped support section T is quickly installed and removed to permit the sled to be converted to the hitand-roll unit. The coach may stand on the sled to observe the players hitting the sled.

ln operation, the blocking sled B", illustrated in FIG. 9, is primarily utilized to teach the hit-and-roll technique in which the football player initially face blocks the blocking dummy D, mounted on the sled 10' forwardly of the outer two blocking dummies D, and then rolls either to his right or to his left and hits either of the other two blocking dummies D which simulate an offensive runner to be tackled.

Apparatus constructed according to the present invention, may also be utilized as a conversion kit for modifying existing leaf spring type blocking sleds. Such blocking sleds conventionally include a base 12" (FIG. 10) having braces 13" thereon and mounting vertically spaced apart mounts l" and 17". A leaf spring designated 19", spans the upper and lower blocks 15 and 17 and mounts a blocking pad, generally designated D'. With apparatus constructed according to the present invention, the springs 19" in the pad D' are replaced by a vertical support post, illustrated in phantom at 13", which spans the upper and lower supports 15' and 17 and mounts telescoping blocking dummy support members 52" and 56". The existing sled can thus be modified to incorporate the new blocking dummy support apparatus, constructed according to the present invention, at minimal expense.

Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 11 and 12, a blocking sled including a slightly modified outrigger, generally designated T" is illustrated and includes laterally spaced apart ground-engaging rails 42" each mounting front and rear shaft receiving sleeves or cylinders 48" for receiving coupling shafts 32" and 26" which are coupled to the sleeves 34 and 19 of the blocking section 10. Set screws 32a removably clamp the sleeves 34 and 19 to the shaft 32" and 26". Mounted at the rearward end of each rail 42" is a shoe 14 comprising a steel plate bent over on itself to provide upper and lower rearwardly converging plate sections 14a and 14b. The shoes 14" enhance the rearward sliding characteristics of the sled.

It is to be understood that the drawings and descriptive matter are in all cases to be interpreted as merely illustrative of the principles of the invention, rather than as limiting the same in any way, since it is contemplated that various changes may be made in various elements to achieve like results without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A sled for teaching football players blocking and tackling skills comprising:

a longitudinally extending, rearwardly slidable,

ground engageable runner;

upstanding support means on said runner;

longitudinal support means on said upstanding support means and vertically spaced from said runner for supporting a blocking dummy at the forwardmost position of said sled;

ground engageable, lateral support means removably connected to said support means and said runner for laterally stabilizing said upstanding support means; and shoe means on the rear end of said runner comprising upper and lower rearwardly converging portions which enhance the sliding characteristics of said sled. 2. Apparatus for training football players in the art of blocking and tackling comprising:

at least one blocking sled section including a longitudinally extending, ground engageable runner adapted to slide along the ground; a vertical support member on said runner; and means, mounted on said vertical support member, supporting an impactable blocking pad assembly forwardly of said vertical support member for movement in a to-and-fro path of travel when the blocking pad assembly is contacted by a football player; ground engageable lateral support means adapted to be mounted on either lateral side of, and in spaced relation to, said blocking sled section; and laterally extending means on said sled section for separably coupling said lateral support means on either side of, and in laterally spaced relation with, said sled section to laterally support said sled section. 3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said coupling means comprises a plurality of laterally extending bars, and a plurality of open ended bar receiving cylinders on said sled for receiving said bars, and means for releasably securing said bars to said cylinders.

4. Apparatus for training football players in the art of blocking and tackling comprising:

a plurality of laterally spaced apart, individual, blocking sled sections each including a longitudinally extending, ground engageable runner adapted to slide on the ground; a vertical support member on said runners; and means mounted on said vertical support member supporting an impactable blocking pad assembly forwardly of said vertical support member for movement in a to-and-fro path of travel when the blocking pad assembly is contacted by a football player; and a plurality of longitudinally and vertically spaced, laterally extending means for separably coupling a selected number of said laterally spaced blocking sections together so that said sled sections laterally support each other while maintaining the lateral spacing of said laterally spaced blocking sections and permitting the selected blocking sections to be rapidly disassembled and moved laterally relative to each other to facilitate storage and shipment and connection with other similar sections; said coupling means including means for coupling a sled section on either side of any of said sled sections.

5. The apparatus set forth in claim 4 wherein said coupling means comprises a first laterally extending bar removably coupled to the runners of said sections; a second laterally extending bar longitudinally forwardly of said first bar removably coupled to said sections; and a third bar above and longitudinally forwardly of said second bar removably coupled to said vertical support members.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein each vertical support member extends upwardly and forwardly from the runner, said coupling means comprises a pair of bar coupling members on Vertically opposite ends of each upwardly and forwardly extending vertical support member, a rearwardly disposed bar coupling member on each runner, said laterally extending coupling means includes a plurality of bars received by the pairs of bar coupling members, and means removably coupling said bars and said bar coupling members.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said blocking pad support means comprises a cantilever which provides the sole connection to said blocking pad, one of said pair of coupling members being fixed to the front portion of said vertical support member and another of said pair of coupling members being fixed to the rear portion of said vertical support member.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said blocking pad support means comprises a forwardly opening tubular member fixed to said vertical support member and a support rod slidingly received in the forward end of said tubular member for mounting said blocking pad assembly, and means is provided for resiliently urging said blocking pad assembly forwardly.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said vertical support member extends upwardly and forwardly from the base; said coupling means consists of a plurality of connector shafts spanning said sections, and means removably coupling said connector shafts to said sections comprising a plurality of open ended shaft receiving cylinders fixed to said blocking sections, and means for removably coupling said connector shafts to said cylinders.

10. The apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said vertical support member is forwardly inclined, said blocking pad assembly supporting means including said first forwardly opening tubular support means fixed to said vertical support member, second support means telescopically received by the forward end of said first tubular support means and adapted to mount a blocking pad which is engageable by a football player executing blocking and tackling exercises, and resilient means disposed entirely within and reactable between said first and second support means for constantly, but yieldably urging said second support means forwardly.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 including means for mounting said blocking pad on said second support means such that said blocking pad can be fixed in various rotary positions relative to the longitudinal axis of said first and second tubular members.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said blocking pad assembly supporting means is inclined downwardly forwardly.

13. Apparatus for teaching football players blocking and tackling skills comprising:

a selected number of identical blocking units each including longitudinally spaced, bar coupling means, a ground engageable shoe, an upstanding support member on the shoe, longitudinal support means on said upstanding member for supporting a blocking dummy;

a plurality of laterally extending bars removably coupled to said longitudinally spaced bar coupling means; and

ground engageable, lateral support means, on at least one lateral side of said blocking unit, for laterally 10 supporting said blocking unit including coupling mechanism having longitudinally spaced, pairs of laterally spaced bar receiving members removably coupled to said laterally extending bars.

14. The apparatus set forth in claim 13 wherein the bar receiving members at one end of said coupling mechanism are laterally spaced a substantial distance from said upstanding member, and said ground engageable lateral support means includes laterally spaced ground engageable support members removably coupled to the ends of said bars to provide the lateral support therefor.

15. The apparatus set forth in claim 14 wherein said coupling mechanism comprises trapezoidally shaped support means, the bar receiving members at the other end thereof being spaced substantially closer than the shaft receiving means at said one end.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said laterally spaced ground engageable support members comprises a pair of said blocking units.

17. The apparatus set forth in claim 16 wherein the bar coupling means on said blocking unit comprises a sleeve at the rearward end thereof and at least one sleeve on the upstanding support means, said plurality of laterally extending bars comprises a first shaft received by the sleeve at said rearward end and the shaft receiving means at said one end of said trapezoidally shaped support means, and a second shaft received by the sleeve at the upstanding support means and the shaft receiving means at said other end of said trapezoidally shaped support means.

18. The apparatus set forth in claim 16 wherein said bar coupling means on each of said first mentioned and later mentioned pair of blocking units comprises a shaft receiving sleeve at the rearward end thereof and upper and lower shaft receiving sleeves supported by said upstanding member, said laterally extending bars comprising a first shaft received by the lower sleeve on the upstanding member of said first mentioned blocking unit and the shaft receiving means at said one end of said trapezoidally shaped support means, a second shaft received by the lower sleeves on the upstanding members of said later mentioned pair of blocking units and the sleeve at the rearward end of said first mentioned blocking unit, and a third shaft received by the upper sleeves on the upstanding members of said pair of blocking units and the spaced shaft receiving means at said other end of said trapezoidally shaped support means.

19. The apparatus set forth in claim 14 wherein a sliding plate is fixed to one end of each shoe and includes upper and lower rearwardly converging portions fixed to the upper and lower portion of said one end to enhance the sliding characteristics of said shoe.

20. The apparatus set forth in claim 15 wherein the bar coupling means on said blocking unit comprises a sleeve at the rearward end thereof and at least one sleeve on the upstanding support means, said plurality of laterally extending bars comprises a first shaft received by the sleeve at said rearward end and the shaft receiving means at said one end of said trapezoidally shaped support means, and a second shaft received by the sleeve at the upstanding support means and the shaft receiving means at said other end of said trapezoidally shaped support means.

21. The apparatus set forth in claim 16 wherein said pair of blocking units are mounted longitudinally rearwardly of said first mentiorie d blocking unit to configeludes upper and lower reaifardly converging portions ure said apparatus as a hit and roll blocking apparatus. fixed to the upper and lower portion of Said one end to 22 Th apparatus Set f th in claim 13 wherein a enhance the sliding characteristics-of said shoe.

sliding plate is fixed to one end of each shoe and in- 

1. A sled for teaching football players blocking and tackling skills comprising: a longitudinally extending, rearwardly slidable, ground engageable runner; upstanding support means on said runner; longitudinal support means on said upstanding support means and vertically spaced from said runner for supporting a blocking dummy at the forwardmost position of said sled; ground engageable, lateral support means removably connected to said support means and said runner for laterally stabilizing said upstanding support means; and shoe means on the rear end of said runner comprising upper and lower rearwardly converging portions which enhance the sliding characteristics of said sled.
 2. Apparatus for training football players in the art of blocking and tackling comprising: at least one blocking sled section including a longitudinally extending, ground engageable runner adapted to slide along the ground; a vertical support member on said runner; and means, mounted on said vertical support member, supporting an impactable blocking pad assembly forwardly of said vertical support member for movement in a to-and-fro path of travel when the blocking pad assembly is contacted by a football player; ground engageable lateral support means adapted to be mounted on either lateral side of, and in spaced relation to, said blocking sled section; and laterally extending means on said sled section for separably coupling said lateral support means on either side of, and in laterally spaced relation with, said sled section to laterally support said sled section.
 3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said coupling means comprises a plurality of laterally extending bars, and a plurality of open ended bar receiving cylinders on said sled for receiving said bars, and means for releasably securing said bars to said cylinders.
 4. Apparatus for training football players in the art of blocking and tackling comprising: a plurality of laterally spaced apart, individual, blocking sled sections each including a longitudinally extending, ground engageable runner adapted to slide on the ground; a vertical support member on said runners; and means mounted on said vertical support member supporting an impactable blocking pad assembly forwardly of said vertical support member for movement in a to-and-fro path of travel when the blocking pad assembly is contacted by a football player; and a plurality of longitudinally and vertically spaced, laterally extending means for separably coupling a selected number of said laterally spaced blocking sections together so that said sled sections laterally support each other while maintaining the lateral spacing of said laterally spaced blocking sections and permitting the selected blocking sections to be rapidly disassembled and moved laterally relative to each other to facilitate storage and shipment and connection with other similar sections; said coupling means including means for coupling a sled section on either side of any of said sled sections.
 5. The apparatus set forth in claim 4 wherein said coupling means comprises a first laterally extending bar removably coupled to the runners of said sections; a second laterally extending bar longitudinally forwardly of said first bar removably coupLed to said sections; and a third bar above and longitudinally forwardly of said second bar removably coupled to said vertical support members.
 6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein each vertical support member extends upwardly and forwardly from the runner, said coupling means comprises a pair of bar coupling members on vertically opposite ends of each upwardly and forwardly extending vertical support member, a rearwardly disposed bar coupling member on each runner, said laterally extending coupling means includes a plurality of bars received by the pairs of bar coupling members, and means removably coupling said bars and said bar coupling members.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said blocking pad support means comprises a cantilever which provides the sole connection to said blocking pad, one of said pair of coupling members being fixed to the front portion of said vertical support member and another of said pair of coupling members being fixed to the rear portion of said vertical support member.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said blocking pad support means comprises a forwardly opening tubular member fixed to said vertical support member and a support rod slidingly received in the forward end of said tubular member for mounting said blocking pad assembly, and means is provided for resiliently urging said blocking pad assembly forwardly.
 9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said vertical support member extends upwardly and forwardly from the base; said coupling means consists of a plurality of connector shafts spanning said sections, and means removably coupling said connector shafts to said sections comprising a plurality of open ended shaft receiving cylinders fixed to said blocking sections, and means for removably coupling said connector shafts to said cylinders.
 10. The apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said vertical support member is forwardly inclined, said blocking pad assembly supporting means including said first forwardly opening tubular support means fixed to said vertical support member, second support means telescopically received by the forward end of said first tubular support means and adapted to mount a blocking pad which is engageable by a football player executing blocking and tackling exercises, and resilient means disposed entirely within and reactable between said first and second support means for constantly, but yieldably urging said second support means forwardly.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10 including means for mounting said blocking pad on said second support means such that said blocking pad can be fixed in various rotary positions relative to the longitudinal axis of said first and second tubular members.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said blocking pad assembly supporting means is inclined downwardly forwardly.
 13. Apparatus for teaching football players blocking and tackling skills comprising: a selected number of identical blocking units each including longitudinally spaced, bar coupling means, a ground engageable shoe, an upstanding support member on the shoe, longitudinal support means on said upstanding member for supporting a blocking dummy; a plurality of laterally extending bars removably coupled to said longitudinally spaced bar coupling means; and ground engageable, lateral support means, on at least one lateral side of said blocking unit, for laterally supporting said blocking unit including coupling mechanism having longitudinally spaced, pairs of laterally spaced bar receiving members removably coupled to said laterally extending bars.
 14. The apparatus set forth in claim 13 wherein the bar receiving members at one end of said coupling mechanism are laterally spaced a substantial distance from said upstanding member, and said ground engageable lateral support means includes laterally spaced ground engageable support members removably coupled to the ends of said bars to provide the lateral support therefor.
 15. The apparatus set forth in claim 14 wherein said coupling meChanism comprises trapezoidally shaped support means, the bar receiving members at the other end thereof being spaced substantially closer than the shaft receiving means at said one end.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said laterally spaced ground engageable support members comprises a pair of said blocking units.
 17. The apparatus set forth in claim 16 wherein the bar coupling means on said blocking unit comprises a sleeve at the rearward end thereof and at least one sleeve on the upstanding support means, said plurality of laterally extending bars comprises a first shaft received by the sleeve at said rearward end and the shaft receiving means at said one end of said trapezoidally shaped support means, and a second shaft received by the sleeve at the upstanding support means and the shaft receiving means at said other end of said trapezoidally shaped support means.
 18. The apparatus set forth in claim 16 wherein said bar coupling means on each of said first mentioned and later mentioned pair of blocking units comprises a shaft receiving sleeve at the rearward end thereof and upper and lower shaft receiving sleeves supported by said upstanding member, said laterally extending bars comprising a first shaft received by the lower sleeve on the upstanding member of said first mentioned blocking unit and the shaft receiving means at said one end of said trapezoidally shaped support means, a second shaft received by the lower sleeves on the upstanding members of said later mentioned pair of blocking units and the sleeve at the rearward end of said first mentioned blocking unit, and a third shaft received by the upper sleeves on the upstanding members of said pair of blocking units and the spaced shaft receiving means at said other end of said trapezoidally shaped support means.
 19. The apparatus set forth in claim 14 wherein a sliding plate is fixed to one end of each shoe and includes upper and lower rearwardly converging portions fixed to the upper and lower portion of said one end to enhance the sliding characteristics of said shoe.
 20. The apparatus set forth in claim 15 wherein the bar coupling means on said blocking unit comprises a sleeve at the rearward end thereof and at least one sleeve on the upstanding support means, said plurality of laterally extending bars comprises a first shaft received by the sleeve at said rearward end and the shaft receiving means at said one end of said trapezoidally shaped support means, and a second shaft received by the sleeve at the upstanding support means and the shaft receiving means at said other end of said trapezoidally shaped support means.
 21. The apparatus set forth in claim 16 wherein said pair of blocking units are mounted longitudinally rearwardly of said first mentioned blocking unit to configure said apparatus as a hit and roll blocking apparatus.
 22. The apparatus set forth in claim 13 wherein a sliding plate is fixed to one end of each shoe and includes upper and lower rearwardly converging portions fixed to the upper and lower portion of said one end to enhance the sliding characteristics of said shoe. 